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Tarazona
«Tarazona tiene una plaza de toros octogonal muy original.»Tarazona has a very original octagonal bullring.
Tarazona is located in the Queiles valley, at the foot of Mount Moncayo, in the far west of the Zaragoza province. It preserves a Mudejar and Renaissance cathedral built outside the walls, amidst the vegetable gardens, and an 18th-century octagonal bullring that has been converted into thirty-two apartments, which are still inhabited today.
Did you know
An octagonal arena, and people live inside.
Tarazona boasts one of the few octagonal bullrings in the world, now integrated into residential homes.
How they talk in Tarazona
«Turiasonense» is the educated demonym derived from the Roman Turiaso, still used in local institutions. «Moncayo» is a constant reference for the climate, landscape and identity of the area.
charrar
To speak; to chat. Used in Aragonese speech to converse or talk, also in derivatives like «charrada».
Everyday life in Tarazona
The «Cipotegato» on 27 August
At midday a man dressed as a harlequin leaves the town hall and crosses the square while thousands of people throw tomatoes at him. It lasts a few minutes and the pavement remains red.
«Le tiran tomates al Cipotegato.» — They throw tomatoes at the Cipotegato.
The houses suspended over the Queiles
The town hall, the cathedral and the houses hang over the river that cuts through the town, and the old Jewish quarter has covered alleys that pass under the houses.
The Moncayo that can be seen from everywhere
The 2,315-metre mountain stands above and is white in winter: it is the visual reference of the town, and the spring trip is to go up to the sanctuary at its feet.
«El Moncayo está nevado.» — The Moncayo is snow-capped.
What to eat in Tarazona
Ternasco de Aragón
Young lamb roasted with salt and lard.
Migas aragonesas
Breadcrumbs sautéed with garlic, grapes and chorizo.
Trenza de Almudévar
Puff pastry braid with dried fruits, raisins and glaze.
Festivals in Tarazona
Cipotegato
27 August
At midday the man dressed as a harlequin crosses the square while thousands of people throw tomatoes at him.
What to see in Tarazona
Catedral de Santa María de la Huerta
Mudéjar and Renaissance together, with the brick dome and the perforated cimborrio.
Plaza de toros vieja
An 18th-century octagonal arena transformed into houses: people live inside.
Ayuntamiento
The Renaissance town hall with the frieze of the coronation of Charles V carved along the entire facade.
Where Tarazona comes from
A plaza de toros where people live
Roman era
Turiaso
Roman municipality in the Queiles valley, with its own mint.
8th–12th century
Tarasuna
Muslim city, then taken by Alfonso I in 1119.
16th century
The cathedral
The Mudéjar and Renaissance cathedral is finished, with the brick dome.
18th century
The bullring
The octagonal arena is built, which will become a block of flats.
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